Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of April 26

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Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 1-for-4, HR (4), R, RBI, 2 K. A week ago, Harper was hitting .231/.333/.333, which led to plenty of emails and tweets asking me if there was concern. The answer was of course not, as he's 18, making adjustments, and the massive tools are just as advertised. Now with three home runs in his last four games, he's suddenly at .286/.394/.554 and I'm getting emails and tweets asking me when he'll move up. It's funny what a week can do early in the year when numbers are so volatile. FYI: Harper, the top overall pick in last year's draft, will face Jameson Taillon, the second overall pick, tonight in Taillon's pro debut.

Wilmer Flores, SS, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 2-for-4, HR (1), R, 4 RBI, BB. Five multi-hit games in last seven have batting average up 63 points to .308/.352/.385 overall.

Nick Franklin, SS, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI, 2 BB. Suddenly a walk machine? Drew 50 last year in more than 500 at-bats, and already has 14 in his first 17 Cal League games to go with .295/.434/.475 line.

Scooter Gennett, 2B, Brewers (High-A Brevard County): 2-for-6, 2 R, K. Has reached base 12 times in his last four games to bring averages up to .306/.383/.375; at times it's hard to get past the 5-9/165 frame, but he can really hit.

Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 4-for-5, 2B, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB, CS. Has been nothing short of outstanding since returning from a bout with the chicken pox; 17-for-38 (.447) in nine games while already doubling last year's home run total.

Trevor May, RHP, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Complete game win in double-header game; has been struggling with command for much of the early season, so unable to harness plus stuff at times.

Tommy Mendonca, 3B, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 K. Second-round pick from 2009 was a disappointment in the Cal League last year but it hitting .338/.361/.676 in 17 Texas League games; 22 Ks in 68 at-bats is a big red flag as far as sustainability.

Kyle Parker, OF, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 3 RRBI. 10-for-18 in last four games and .435/.491/.652 in 13 games; he should be bashing in Low-A, and therefore should be in the California League.

Stephen Parker, 3B, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 2-for-5, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, K. Ten hits in last six games raise averages to .292/.378/.477; if he can stick at third, he's a real prospect.

Oscar Tejeda, 2B, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 3-for-4, HR (1), R, 4 RBI. Doing some recovery from very slow start at Double-A; 6-for-12 in last three games, but still at just .269/.296/.404 overall.

Trayce Thompson, OF, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 3-for-4, HR (6), 2 R, 3 RBI. Might be figuring some things out in repeat of Low-A; seven hits in last three games and .276/.345/.553 in 17 overall. If he doesn't grow out of center field, he's especially intriguing.

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Trevor Plouffe is hitting 300/367/700 this year at AAA. Anything on the scouting side to support this as a genuine improvement? The Twins could sure use a middle infield prospect with even league average upside.

How much longer will Colorado play the cadaver known as Jose Lopez at 3B with Stewart knocking the cover off the ball in AAA? And on a side note, wouldn't it make sense at this point for the Royals to send Kila back to AAA for a bit, have Butler take over 1st, and get both Aviles and Betemit into the lineup full time?

Kevin, how much does DIPS theory apply to the minor leagues? A guy like Andrew Miller may not be giving up many hits but when I look to see how good or not good he is I look at Ks and BBs. Is that incorrect?

How's Slade's defense? He's fast enough for center, but what about his arm, glove, and route running, etc.? I'm trying not to get excited given how far away he is from the majors, but he's turning into a fun prospect.